Astoria OKs use of sound blasts to scare birds from building

View full sizeStarlings gather on power lines on Murray Boulevard near the Sunset Highway.The Oregonian/2000

ASTORIA -- Despite noise complaints, the city of Astoria has reinstated a permit that allows an apartment building to scare starlings with an airhorn.

The Daily Astorian reports the horn is used to disrupt the tens of thousands of invasive birds that nest below the Columbia House.

The city temporarily revoked the permit after complaints from neighbors, but representatives from the Columbia House told the City Council this week it is desperately needed to keep the starlings away.

Police Chief Pete Curzon recommended capping the permit to before 10 p.m. Columbia House resident Jim Campbell agreed to the request, saying the noisemaker is most effective at dusk.